Even without the high D she is spitting molten lava here. She may have struggled summoning the vulnerability needed for other sections of Norma (at least when compared with Callas,) but when a role called for righteous indignation, as here, she delivered in spades. The high D is just the final "fuck you" of this scene.
Personally, I thought she didn't sound angry enough in the beginning - but yes, she does turn on the heat after a while. The vocal beauty is however certainly present throughout!
In 1970.I first heard this big colaratura voice with Marilyn Horne in Semirimade in London.A flawless execution,it remained with her in 1984 at Covent Garden in Lucia,she sang the to[ Fs at 58!Bergonzi at 59 was even older.A night of high emotion which still lives with me !
! met her for the last time in 1993 at a recital in Glasgow.The voice had changed in two ways.It had reverted to the old mezzo quality and the diction was better,She kindly signed my old Belcantodisc E P(only 100 made)and wished me well.A lovely Scots Australian,the salt of the earth.
Bit of trivia about her humanity: I prompted her in ADRIANA LECOUVREUR. She had a notoriously bad memory at times. She walked out for her first entrance and looked at e in the prompt box and made the slightest shake of the head as if to say "Damn, I can't remember a word of it." The music she did, of course. Anyway, the next morning after the premiere, I got an early morning call. "Stephen, this is Joan. I never would have gotten through it last night and I just wanted to thank you as the first thing I do today." OK? The TRULY GREAT ONES are indeed humble. I found this working with Vickers and Scotto and and and...then there were the others sometimes. Oops.
De esta extraordinaria cantante e intérprete australiana sólo se le puede reprochar su inentendible pronunciación del italiano. Muchas gracias Lohengrin O desde Santiago. Dr.Fernando Rivas-Burattini. 👏👏👏💐🙏✝️🙏🇨🇱🇨🇱.
@D JB @D JB There is no cure for Callas addiction. For those who would try, there would be an immediate relapse, not only by hearing her sing, but even more by hearing others sing.
@D JB well, if all you care about are high notes, you are free to listen to the singers who have the high notes and none of the genius of Callas in every other area. I'll take the occasional wobble and enjoy the rest she has to offer - and let's not forget she had high notes with the best of them in her prime. If you're worried about my Callas addiction - don't be, I'm quite happy the way I am.
I know I'm going to make the fans scream, but every time, I think that Sutherland is really only good for the last high note of each aria. And sure that last note is always absolutely phenomenal, but it's a somewhat limited talent. (Oh, and the trills sometimes, ok, ok.)
